Often implements are the tools that most people pay little attention to, but which
are in fact very helpful and necessary, made specifically for their particular tasks
in the hygiene routine and are designed to make those tasks quicker, easier and
safer. For convenience and according to their specialization & use implements are
often combined into one instrument.
The most common implements are:
Cuticle Pushers
Nail Cleaners
Nail Scrapers
Cuticle Knives
Care & Cleaning
CUTICLE PUSHERS
Cuticle pusher is the tool (an implement) used to push back the growth of the cuticles
and skin of the nail bed to prevent painful hangnails, keep your nails and cuticles
healthy and neat. While preventing overgrowth of the cuticle regular pushing back
of the cuticles also cleans out the nail bed of the dead skin and dirt. In a pinch
a cuticle pusher could also be used to clean out the dirt under the nails as well.
Cuticles play a very important role for the health of our fingers and nails, as
they serve as the barrier that protects the gap between the finger's skin and the
nail from dirt and infections. However if you don't take proper care of cuticle
they become dry, fragile and easily damage, which, besides causing pain and discomfort,
could create a tear that would let the dirt and bacteria get under the skin. That
is why it is important to incorporate the easy and quick cuticle grooming tasks
into your hygiene routine.
On regular basis and during a manicure holding a cuticle pusher or an orange stick
at an angle gently push the cuticles back into the bed of the nail. Any pieces of
dead skin or hangnails that remain should be carefully trimmed away. Make sure not
to cut off any cuticle because cutting too deep on the side will damage the skin.
The consequence of cutting off too much strips of skin starts breaking off above
the finger and cause painful rips.
Read more in the article on
Cuticle Care at Zamberg.com.
Samples of Cuticle Pushers:
NAIL CLEANERS
Nail Cleaner as it name suggests is a tool for cleaning of dirt that gathers under
the nails. Often the dirt is small and barely visible, but even so it is prudent
to clean under your nails on regular basis, as not to let too much dirt gather and
cause a tear or start an infection. The tip of the cleaner is inserted at the side
of the nail between the nail and the skin and gently ran through the length of the
nail, which way the dirt comes out on the other side or on the surface of the cleaner.
Sometimes a number of such actions are needed to completely clean out the dirt gathered,
remember to remove all of the dirt and disinfect the cleaner, so that in case of
a cut or a tear you do not introduce more dirt with the instrument.
Though nail cleaners are polished and have a triangular shaped like some cuticle
knives, unlike the knives they are not sharp and have a slightly rounded tip which
allows them to clean under the nail without causing any cuts or damage by scraping
the underside of the nail. Even though the cleaner is not sharp and safe, as with
any tool if you exert too much force, you may still tear the skin under the nail
or damage to the underside of the nail, so clean gently and carefully.
Read more in the article on
Manicure and
Pedicure Essentials
as well as on
Dos and Don'ts of Nail Care at Zamberg.com.
Samples of Nail Cleaners:
NAIL SCRAPERS
Nail Scraper is a tool that is used to easily remove hardened dirt, solid keratin
debris or tough parts of the nail. Though a scraper might not need to be used on
regular basis, it is very useful in the initial removal of the nail tissue damaged
by the fungal infection or other disorders. Unlike cuticles and dead skin, which
even when dried is still somewhat flexible the nail itself and keratin debris are
hard and their removal needs a bit more force and that is when a scraper could come
in handy. With regular care and cleaning your nails should not need frequent use
of the scrapers, but if hardened dirt is often present on your nails, an initial,
light cleaning out of the dirt with a scraper could be just what you require. However,
scrapers should not be used on healthy, live nail tissue, since it will cause the
nail damage and distress by removing and breaking its layers. Remember to keep the
scraping actions as light as possible, as not to damage nails and skin more.
Read more in the article on
Dos and Don'ts of Nail Care at Zamberg.com.
Samples of Nail Scrapers:
CUTICLE KNIVES
Cuticle Knife is a tool with a fine, sharp blade that removes cuticle and dead skin
that has been loosened after pushing the cuticles back. The cuticle knives come
in two shapes, with a straight and with V-shaped blades. In a straight blade knife
the cutting edge is the main portion of the tool that runs along the whole pointed
surface of the knife. In the V-shaped blade knife the end of the tool has a curved
in "V" shape with both edges serving as sharp blades and are just as sharp at the
point of their connection.
To remove the loose cuticle and skin run the blade or the cutter of a cuticle knife
along the nail bed firmly but gently, as to not cut the skin. Make sure that the
knife you're using is sharp and clean, so that the cutting is done easily and without
causing any damage to live skin. The choice between a straight or a V-shaped blade
is a matter of personal preference and comfort. Make sure that the tool you choose
rests comfortably in your hand, is easy for you to use, and is of high quality.
Clean, neat nails are not just a issue vanity, but are rather a matter of health
and comfort. Cuticles play a very important role in protecting our fingers and nails
from dirt and infections. As they grow and dry out cuticles themselves could cause
damage to the skin on your fingers by breaking at the driest moment, or turning
into a painful hangnail. Regular removal of the dead skin should be a regular task
in your hygiene routine.
Samples of Cuticle Knifes:
CARE & CLEANING
Though care and cleaning of your tools and the particular implement might change
depending on the material you choose, here are some basic tips that should keep
any instrument in good shape.
- Don't soak your metal implements in detergents or in plain water.
- Always disinfect all implements before and after each use
- Always place a cap on (if available) or put the implements inside their case to
protect the tips from impact and scratching.
- Don't drop the implements as this could damage, scratch or dull the tips.
Articles you also might be interested in:
Manicure and Pedicure Sets
Manicure Essentials
Pedicure Essentials
Dos and Don'ts of Nail Care
Cuticle Care
Comedone Extractors